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Integrated farming is a type of farming that aims to maximize the efficiency and productivity of the farm by integrating different types of crops and animals into a single system.

This approach to farming is based on the principle of maximizing the use of natural resources, such as soil, water, and sunlight, to produce a diverse range of crops and animals. Integrated farming also seeks to minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and to promote the use of sustainable farming practices. Integrated farming is seen as a way to improve the sustainability and resilience of the farming sector, and to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

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Topic Comments

Discussion

30/10/2023 - 14:32

I wonder whether we need to think harder about pesticides. They are vital and need to be protected. Some ideas to get the ball rolling:

  1. Specific pesticide restriction. Application of restrictions on supply of particularly damaging pesticides (largely “insecticides”) would raise price and increase the incentive to assess threat before use. This would make IPM more effective. Introduction of a bidding system for the limited supply would provide control and manage the incentive to develop improved strategies over time. An auction system would also help maintain margin for developers.
  2. Extension of national risk assessments of crop threats. Sugar beet approval for neonicotinoid use is determined by a national assessment of risk. Risk of other diseases, such as management of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus in cereals, can also be assessed regionally. Extension of these schemes should be prioritised.
  3. Introduction of refuge areas.  Where genetically modified crops are used to providing insect control, it is a requirement in the USA to include a refuge area to reduce the risk of resistance developing (reducing selection pressure on genes providing resistance). Adoption of the concept in the UK for spray treatments (either untreated crop or beneficial plant species) would reduce the risk of resistance developing and provide a refuge for benign pests and predators. 
  4. Monitoring of pesticide use. Monitoring of pesticides post introduction (“pesticideovigilance”) means that unexpected consequences for the environment (and potentially human health and development of resistance) would be identified promptly. This would also complete the alignment with the introduction of medicinal materials.

 

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Connected Content

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

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Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative farming looks to optimise the use of the ecological system and environment, in order to benefit from the natural ecosystem services that they provide.

Agroecology

Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems. Definition from FAO.

Weeds

A weed can have many definitions, one being, any plant growing in a place it is not wanted. This topic focuses mainly on weeds affecting agriculture. Generally weeds are classified into two groups: grass-weeds (e.g Black-grass, Italian ryegrass, Bromes) and broad-leaved weeds (e.g Mayweed, Chickweed, Poppy, Cleavers). 

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This topic refers to the whole food supply chain, from farm fork, and all the products and services that contribute to food production.

regenagri

regenagri is an international regenerative agriculture program for securing the health of the land and the wealth of those who live on it.

Managing weeds in arable rotations

AHDB Guide from 2021 incorporating WRAG guidelines. Weed control is vital for high yields of good-quality crops and to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, e.g. ergot. Yet with fewer active ingredients, a need to protect water and manage herbicide resistance, the weed challenge must be managed across the rotation.

IPM NET Pilot Webinar

We are establishing a network of farms to share knowledge and data on the application and impact of IPM strategies with the aim to better understand the effectiveness of IPM approaches on farm yield and profitability, and support sustainable, productive systems with no pesticide inputs wasted. We’ve had some initial funding from Defra to design the network, and now we are moving into a pilot phase.   

Managing weeds in arable rotations

AHDB & WRAG Guide

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